The court was restless.
Even days after the duel, the whispers hadn't stopped. Servants spoke of Alaric in hushed tones. Lords exchanged veiled glances when his name was mentioned. Some smiled with approval. Others sharpened knives behind closed doors.
But the throne room remained the same: cold, vast, and gilded in silver and judgment.
Alaric stood beneath the arched ceiling, sunlight pouring through the stained-glass dome above. His eyes met Duke Caelan's—unreadable, distant, and calculating.
"To defeat Damon Elric in open combat," the Duke said, voice echoing through the hall, "is no small feat. But you've drawn more than praise."
The council chamber murmured. Onyx-robed advisors. Warlords. Spymasters.
"There are claims," Lord Harwyn sneered, "that you've been… blessed by unnatural means."
Alaric didn't flinch. "Blessed? If intelligence and preparation are considered curses, then our entire noble line is damned."
A few chuckled. Others stiffened.
"Enough," Lysandra said. She descended from her high seat, golden robes flowing. Her voice was cool, commanding. "What my son did was remind this realm of what true potential looks like."
Caelan turned to her. "Potential isn't enough. In this Dominion, strength must be proven again. And again."
He stood, drawing every eye.
"You will be tested, Alaric. Not just by swords or politics—but by the bloodlines beneath us."
At his signal, a page stepped forward and unfurled a scroll.
"A challenge," Caelan declared. "You will lead a hunting expedition to the Blackwood Hollow."
Gasps filled the room.
Even Alaric paused. The Blackwood was infamous—a corrupted forest where beasts mutated by wild magic roamed. It was used for execution hunts, not trials.
"And your companions," Caelan continued, "will be chosen from among the noble heirs who dislike you most."
Alaric smiled faintly.
Of course. They couldn't kill him in the court. But the Blackwood would do it for them. A perfect trap.
"I accept."
Lysandra's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing. She couldn't interfere—not here.
Later, as he prepared for the journey, the system pulsed again.
[Binding Candidate Detected: Selene Virel – Beast Affinity, Lunar Sight]
Selene was one of the nobles selected to accompany him. Sharp-tongued, silver-haired, and born of a house known for taming monsters.
Alaric approached her in the courtyard.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
"Because my family wants you dead," she said without hesitation.
"Good," Alaric replied. "Then they'll be disappointed."
He extended a hand. "Work with me. Survive. And I'll ensure you leave with more than scars."
She studied him. Curious. Cautious. Then took his hand.
[Binding Confirmed: Selene Virel]
Skill Acquired: Beast Affinity (Stage 1) – Enhanced perception and control over wild creatures.
Trait Acquired: Lunar Sight – Improved night vision, bonus resistance to illusion magic.
The power hit him like a surge of cold wind. Instincts sharpened. He could hear the flutter of wings overhead, the subtle crunch of a fox in the garden brush.
More than strength. It was understanding.
He could feel the wild.
The next morning, the hunting party rode into the Blackwood Hollow—Alaric, Selene, Damon (bruised ego and all), and three other noble heirs who barely hid their disdain.
"You won't make it out," one sneered.
"I don't have to," Alaric said softly. "You do. I'll just make sure I'm the only one who walks out with honor."
Deep in the Blackwood, shadows whispered. Trees leaned too far. Birds circled, watching.
Then the howls began.
A pack of corrupted direwolves surged from the mist. Fangs like daggers. Eyes glowing with red sigils.
The nobles panicked.
Alaric didn't.
He stepped forward, drawing only a short blade. "Selene," he said. "With me."
She didn't question. Together, they moved. Alaric's commands were instinctive—bolstered by Beast Affinity and Lunar Sight.
The wolves hesitated.
Then, as if compelled by an ancient pulse, the alpha bowed its head.
The others stilled.
And the nobles behind Alaric stared in stunned horror.
"You—you controlled them?" Damon whispered.
"No," Alaric said. "I simply proved I was the stronger predator."
The forest went silent.
In that moment, Alaric wasn't just an heir.
He was the future.
And everyone watching knew it.
[End of Chapter 5]